How much alcohol are you really drinking?

Whe you come home from work do you relax with a glass or 2 of wine or a couple of beers? Do you have a few more when you go out with friends? Did you know that the 2 to 3 drinks that you are taking regularly might actually be 4 to 6? Some of the glasses we use are larger than a standard drink!

A standard drink will provide 10g of alcohol:

A pint (425ml) of light beer
285ml* of regular beer
A small glass (100ml) of wine 
A glass of fortified wine port or sherry (60ml)
A nip (30ml) of spirits or liqueurs

The names for a glass of beer vary accross the country. A 285ml beer is referred to as a pot in Victoria, a middy in New South Wales, the ACT and Western Australia, a schooner in South Australia and a handle in the Northern Territory.

The NH&MRC recommends no more than 2 standard drinks per day and no more than 4 on any one day. How does your consumption stack up?

The NH&MRC  has some more detailed lists about the alcohol content of a whole variety of drinks including some of the popular mixes. You might be surprised!